Carly Hendrickson’s hip was wrapped the last time she donned the blue and gold – two years ago.

Since the junior outside hitter’s last appearance with UCLA women’s volleyball in November 2023, Hendrickson has undergone two surgeries and sat out the 2024 season while rehabilitating.

“I would redo it,” Hendrickson said. “I would do it all over again just because I think I grew so much as a person but also as a player.”

Hendrickson, who transferred from Florida ahead of the 2023 season, appeared in 27 games in her first year at UCLA. But her playing time reduced as the season progressed, as the pain caused by her hip – wrapped each time she took the court – worsened.

And so, what was originally slated to be just one surgery escalated into two, making Hendrickson’s return to the court longer and more challenging.

But surgery was ultimately a relief to Hendrickson. The pain she endured during her sophomore season had become intolerable, affecting her ability to produce on the hardwood.

She just wasn’t expecting to need operations on both sides of her hip, as the extended rehab process demanded more and more from her – both physically and mentally.

“I missed working out,” Hendrickson said. “I missed sweating, I missed playing volleyball, and so finding ways to compete with myself in a safe way as best I could was really helpful for me.”

Although the experience severely taxed the Cincinnati local’s body and mind, it also allowed Hendrickson to develop as a player, teammate and person.

“I easily could have not gone to practices every day and just focused on my rehab and not made time for my team,” Hendrickson said. “I had to decide how I wanted to attack this process and how involved I wanted to stay while I was off the court. And for me, I needed to be in the gym every day and be with my team.”

Hendrickson was also able to spend more time in the film room, improving her understanding of the game, even if she couldn’t step onto the court at Pauley Pavilion.

“Her resilience – what she went through with her procedures is no easy feat,” said coach Alfee Reft. “Through the long rehab, the physical therapy, not just getting herself healthy but staying invested in the team. She really embodies the heart and purpose of what we want our program to be. She didn’t just work to make herself better – she stayed connected, supported her teammates, found ways to lift the whole group even when it wasn’t easy for her.”

Being a true team player isn’t always easy, though. It can be tough to feel part of a team when you’re glued to the sidelines. And it can be challenging to continuously give a sport – that has seemingly turned its back on you – everything. But Hendrickson remained selfless.

The junior maintained a calm voice in the gym and a constant presence in the Bruin clubhouse and locker room, contributing to the team in ways beyond kills, blocks or digs.

And sophomore defensive specialist/libero Kat Lutz said Hendrickson’s journey has taught her lessons both within and outside of volleyball.

“The biggest lesson that I learned from Carly and her coming back is just how much you can grow when you are out and have an injury,” Lutz said. “She was super methodical when she was out, the reps that she was getting and it was awesome coming in and seeing that even though she was hurt and couldn’t compete in games, she was still really getting better every single day.”

After being cleared to play in December, Hendrickson appeared in UCLA’s spring exhibition match against UC Santa Barbara on April 5 in Oxnard, California, and may play in the team’s upcoming road matches against UC Irvine on May 9 and Cal Poly on May 10.

Next season, Hendrickson could help an offense that is losing pin hitters graduate student Joy Umeh and junior Grayce Olson, who combined for 283 kills in 2024, after the former exercised her NCAA eligibility and the latter announced her medical retirement March 11.

[Related: UCLA women’s volleyball’s Grayce Olson announces medical retirement]

She’s far from done, though. As the 2025 season draws near, Hendrickson is honing a talent she has always had.

“I’m hoping to bring a high IQ to the game,” Hendrickson said. “That was a strength of mine ever since I got to college was just how I see the game and spending a year out of it and just watching, I think my IQ for volleyball has just grown even more.”